Description
Easy Vegetable Pasta Salad is a light and flavorful dish packed with crunchy fresh veggies, tender pasta, and a zesty Italian-style dressing. It’s quick to toss together, customizable with your favorite vegetables, and a guaranteed hit at cookouts or as a side with just about anything!
Ingredients
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12 oz pasta (rotini, penne, or bowtie)
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1 cup cucumber, diced
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1 red bell pepper, diced
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1/2 cup shredded carrots
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1/2 cup broccoli florets (blanched or raw)
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1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
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1/2 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
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1/2 cup feta cheese or mozzarella pearls (optional)
For the Dressing:
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1/3 cup olive oil
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3 tbsp red wine vinegar or lemon juice
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1 tsp Dijon mustard
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1 clove garlic, minced
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
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In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
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In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, carrots, broccoli, onion, olives, and cheese (if using).
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Pour dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
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Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
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This salad is super flexible—use whatever veggies you have on hand!
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Add chickpeas or grilled chicken for extra protein.
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Stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days—great for meal prep.